NFL Picks Against the Spread: 2020 Divisional Round Playoff Games

Before the divisional round of the 2020 NFL playoffs kicks off, let’s have some fun by taking a look at the spreads for these games. You can CLICK HERE for straight up NFL picks without regard to the spread. You can find all of the NFL betting lines via DraftKings SportsBook.

My overall record this season is 125-126-9 after going 1-2-1 in the wild card round last week. I’m still ahead of the collective BGN community, which is 123-128-9. Let’s see if we can do better this time around.

DIVISIONAL ROUND GAMES

MINNESOTA VIKINGS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-7): I’m tempted to move off my “never bet on Kirk Cousins in a big game” stance after watching the Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome last weekend. But Minnesota is in a tough spot here. They’re playing on the road on six days of rest against a team coming off a first-round bye. Then again, Jimmy Garoppolo is making his first playoff start, and that doesn’t always go so well for neophyte quarterbacks. And the 49ers only rank two spots higher than the Vikings in DVOA. This isn’t easy. I’ll say the 49ers win but Minny finds a way to cover. PICK: Vikings +7

TENNESSEE TITANS at BALTIMORE RAVENS (-9.5): Another tough one. The Ravens are pretty awesome with Lamar Jackson leading the way and they have extra rest heading into this matchup. But Ryan Tannehill has been playing some really good football ... and Mike Vrabel has his team playing pretty hard. Tennessee not just going to roll over. It’s another scenario where I’m taking the points but the favorite to win the game. PICK: Titans +9.5

HOUSTON TEXANS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-9.5): Deshaun Watson’s heroics can’t bail out this fraudulent Texans team forever. Houston is the 19th ranked team in DVOA. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are the No. 2 team. Andy Reid is always great after having a bye week to work with. Case in point: the Chiefs are 5-0 since their regular season bye. PICKS: Chiefs -9.5

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at GREEN BAY PACKERS (-4.5): This Seahawks team is really banged up and not actually that great. But they are 8-1 on the road this year and Russell Wilson always makes games close at the very least. This Packers team gives off some fraud vibes for a squad that won 13 games. Aaron Rodgers looked downright awful in Week 17 when the Packers needed to beat the Detroit Lions to clinch a first-round bye. The Packers’ pair of pass rushers — Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith — against the Seahawks’ offensive line is a concerning matchup. But even if Seattle can’t win the game outright, they should be able to cover. PICK: Seahawks +4.5